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Kathleen Turner | Source: Getty Images
Kathleen Turner | Source: Getty Images

Kathleen Turner, 71, Steps Back Into the Spotlight to Celebrate 'The War of the Roses' Remake

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Aug 26, 2025
11:26 A.M.

It was a moment no one expected — and one that left fans gasping.

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Legendary screen siren Kathleen Turner, 71, made a rare and emotional return to the spotlight on Monday, August 25, as she stepped onto the red carpet for the glitzy New York City premiere of "The Roses," a modern-day remake of her 1989 cult classic, "The War of the Roses."

But while the star once known for her sultry allure and commanding screen presence dazzled in her own way, it was her fragile appearance that stopped everyone in their tracks.

In video clips, Turner wore a sling on her right arm and relied on a cane. Despite the physical signs of health battles, the Golden Globe-winning actress flashed a brave smile, greeting fellow actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman with grace and grit.

"I do plan to see 'The Roses' at the premiere in NYC," Turner told USA Today in an exclusive emailed statement ahead of the big night. "Should be fun and I have a bet with myself that they don't die [sic]."

As photos and video clips of Turner's reappearance swept across social media, fans were quick to notice her physical condition — and pour out their hearts."Oh my! Kathleen Turner! What has happened? She looks like she might be in terrible pain poor thing [sic]," one shocked fan wrote on Facebook. Another asked, "How wide are her feet?"

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But not all the reactions focused on the heartbreak. Many rejoiced at seeing their favorite star back in the spotlight. One person gushed, "Two of my favorite actors!!! They both are phenomenal!!!!" A well-wisher, echoing the wave of support, added, "Nice to see Kathleen Turner out and about! She has rheumatoid arthritis! Ouch! We wish her well!"

A third stated, "I love Kathleen! So good to see her out and about." A final comment praised, "I loved the movie. Kathleen and Michael were both superb in their respective roles. Lost their love over time!"

Over on Instagram, the tone turned reverent.

"What an icon!!" one admirer posted, while another shared, "Kathleen Turner is a great and wonderful actress…Her sultry deep voice, her sensational figure and beautiful face and hair set the movie screens on fire in the movie, "Body Heat" in 1981! Deepest respect for her! She's been really great, and everything that she's ever appeared in [sic]…🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️♥️"

Another reflected on her classic beauty, "What a beauty she was," while one netizen summed it all up in three words, "Love Kathleen Turner!" While many were shocked by Turner's physical transformation, longtime fans know that her health battles are nothing new — and have been devastatingly public.

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Turner has spoken candidly about her painful descent during the 1990s, when rheumatoid arthritis nearly destroyed her career and drove her to alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism. "Oh, I abused alcohol because it's a great painkiller, let me tell you," she revealed in a 2018 sit-down with "Good Morning America."

Though the condition forced her to slow down, it never silenced her. Turner pivoted to the stage, took on select film roles, and refused to let chronic illness define her. In fact, her resilient presence at Monday night's premiere proved she's still very much a force to be reckoned with.

Here's a look back at Kathleen Turner's appearances over the years, leading up to her recent return for the 2025 premiere of "The Roses" in Hudson Theater:

1981

Kathleen Turner wears a sheer, long-sleeved blouse adorned with delicate white floral patterns over a strapless white dress. She is at the 19th New York Film Festival.

Kathleen Turner wears a sheer, long-sleeved blouse adorned with delicate white floral patterns over a strapless white dress. She is at the 19th New York Film Festival.

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1983

Actress Kathleen Turner is at the launch party for the new magazine "The Movies." She is smiling warmly while wearing a loose, sleeveless light blue dress with minimal accessories, embodying a relaxed yet stylish look.

Actress Kathleen Turner is at the launch party for the new magazine "The Movies." She is smiling warmly while wearing a loose, sleeveless light blue dress with minimal accessories, embodying a relaxed yet stylish look.

1985

A promotional still from "The Jewel of the Nile," shows Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in a close embrace as Jack Colton and Joan Wilder. Dressed in a light suit and cream blouse, they radiate a romantic chemistry.

A promotional still from "The Jewel of the Nile," shows Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in a close embrace as Jack Colton and Joan Wilder. Dressed in a light suit and cream blouse, they radiate a romantic chemistry.

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Kathleen Turner is pictured at the rehearsals for the 42nd Golden Globe Awards, looking elegant in a dark green button-up suede shirt paired with a layered pearl necklace. Her softly waved, shoulder-length hair and natural makeup highlight her timeless beauty.

Kathleen Turner is pictured at the rehearsals for the 42nd Golden Globe Awards, looking elegant in a dark green button-up suede shirt paired with a layered pearl necklace. Her softly waved, shoulder-length hair and natural makeup highlight her timeless beauty.

1987

At the Martha Graham celebration, Kathleen Turner radiates elegance and sophistication in a royal blue pleated gown with jewel-embellished neckline, paired with a black clutch, heels, and delicate gold jewelry.

At the Martha Graham celebration, Kathleen Turner radiates elegance and sophistication in a royal blue pleated gown with jewel-embellished neckline, paired with a black clutch, heels, and delicate gold jewelry.

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1989

At the "Parents of Cerebral Palsy" event at the Angelika Film Center in New York City, Kathleen Turner sports a simple dark outfit. She wears her hair loose and voluminous, paired with natural makeup and a bold lip, giving her an effortlessly confident look.

At the "Parents of Cerebral Palsy" event at the Angelika Film Center in New York City, Kathleen Turner sports a simple dark outfit. She wears her hair loose and voluminous, paired with natural makeup and a bold lip, giving her an effortlessly confident look.

1992

At the Hollywood premiere of "Honeymoon in Vegas," Kathleen Turner poses alongside Nicolas Cage. Turner looked chic in an off-the-shoulder navy knit dress with a brown leather handbag, while Cage kept it classic in a crisp white blazer over a black shirt.

At the Hollywood premiere of "Honeymoon in Vegas," Kathleen Turner poses alongside Nicolas Cage. Turner looked chic in an off-the-shoulder navy knit dress with a brown leather handbag, while Cage kept it classic in a crisp white blazer over a black shirt.

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1995

A promotional still from the made-for-TV movie "Friends At Last" shows Kathleen Turner as Fanny Connelyn and Colm Feore as Phillip Connelyn embracing warmly on a city street. The film, which explores themes of marriage, divorce, and friendship, marked Turner's network television film debut.

A promotional still from the made-for-TV movie "Friends At Last" shows Kathleen Turner as Fanny Connelyn and Colm Feore as Phillip Connelyn embracing warmly on a city street. The film, which explores themes of marriage, divorce, and friendship, marked Turner's network television film debut.

1998

Kathleen Turner and Danny Aiello are filming a scene from "Prince of Central Park." The two are depicted as husband and wife, sharing a lighthearted, affectionate moment together in the park.

Kathleen Turner and Danny Aiello are filming a scene from "Prince of Central Park." The two are depicted as husband and wife, sharing a lighthearted, affectionate moment together in the park.

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2000

A photo that shows Kathleen Turner during a rehearsal of "The Graduate" at the Gielgud Theater in central London. She portrays Mrs. Robinson, exuding a commanding stage presence in a sleek black gown with a sheer shawl.

A photo that shows Kathleen Turner during a rehearsal of "The Graduate" at the Gielgud Theater in central London. She portrays Mrs. Robinson, exuding a commanding stage presence in a sleek black gown with a sheer shawl.

2002

Kathleen Turner is pictured at the "Broadway on Broadway" event in Times Square, New York City. She wears a navy sheer embroidered blouse with delicate detailing, paired with dark trousers, radiating a polished yet approachable stage presence.

Kathleen Turner is pictured at the "Broadway on Broadway" event in Times Square, New York City. She wears a navy sheer embroidered blouse with delicate detailing, paired with dark trousers, radiating a polished yet approachable stage presence.

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2005

Kathleen Turner is pictured at the 100 Women Against Child Abuse: The Fifth Annual Benefit for the Children's Advocacy Center in New York City. She exudes understated elegance in a classic long black coat-style dress with sheer black tights and black shoes, accessorized with a brooch.

Kathleen Turner is pictured at the 100 Women Against Child Abuse: The Fifth Annual Benefit for the Children's Advocacy Center in New York City. She exudes understated elegance in a classic long black coat-style dress with sheer black tights and black shoes, accessorized with a brooch.

2007

Kathleen Turner steps out on the red carpet at the New York premiere of "Sicko" at the Ziegfeld Theater. She wears a black outfit with a check-patterned overlay, accessorized with a brown handbag and sandals, looking relaxed and cheerful as she poses for photos.

Kathleen Turner steps out on the red carpet at the New York premiere of "Sicko" at the Ziegfeld Theater. She wears a black outfit with a check-patterned overlay, accessorized with a brown handbag and sandals, looking relaxed and cheerful as she poses for photos.

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2010

At the Broadway opening of "The Miracle Worker" in New York City, Kathleen Turner is seen wearing a simple, elegant long black dress paired with black boots, accessorized with a delicate necklace, presenting a refined and understated look for the event.

At the Broadway opening of "The Miracle Worker" in New York City, Kathleen Turner is seen wearing a simple, elegant long black dress paired with black boots, accessorized with a delicate necklace, presenting a refined and understated look for the event.

2014

Actress Kathleen Turner is seen at the Los Angeles premiere of "Dumb and Dumber To." She wears a navy blue ensemble with gold jewelry, looking radiant and poised on the red carpet.

Actress Kathleen Turner is seen at the Los Angeles premiere of "Dumb and Dumber To." She wears a navy blue ensemble with gold jewelry, looking radiant and poised on the red carpet.

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2016

Kathleen Turner attends BAMcinemaFest 2016 Opening Night Premiere of "Little Men" in New York City. She looks chic in a simple black dress paired with a patterned jacket and black loafers, completing the look with a confident smile on the pink carpet.

Kathleen Turner attends BAMcinemaFest 2016 Opening Night Premiere of "Little Men" in New York City. She looks chic in a simple black dress paired with a patterned jacket and black loafers, completing the look with a confident smile on the pink carpet.

2018

At the Women's Media Awards in New York City, Kathleen Turner wears a chic emerald green velvet jacket over an all-black ensemble, exuding sophistication as she arrived at the event.

At the Women's Media Awards in New York City, Kathleen Turner wears a chic emerald green velvet jacket over an all-black ensemble, exuding sophistication as she arrived at the event.

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2021

Kathleen Turner is seen at the Citymeals On Wheels' 34th Annual Power Lunch at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. She wears a rich burgundy velvet button-down tunic paired with black pants and shoes, giving her a polished yet comfortable look for the charity event.

Kathleen Turner is seen at the Citymeals On Wheels' 34th Annual Power Lunch at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. She wears a rich burgundy velvet button-down tunic paired with black pants and shoes, giving her a polished yet comfortable look for the charity event.

2023

Kathleen Turner steps out for the after party of the Irish Repertory production "End Game." She exudes effortless sophistication in an all-black ensemble, pairing a cozy turtleneck with wide-leg trousers and sporty blue sneakers.

Kathleen Turner steps out for the after party of the Irish Repertory production "End Game." She exudes effortless sophistication in an all-black ensemble, pairing a cozy turtleneck with wide-leg trousers and sporty blue sneakers.

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2025

Dressed in a flowing black ensemble and using a cane, Kathleen Turner radiates resilience and timeless grace as she poses on the red carpet of Searchlight Pictures' "The Roses" New York Premiere.

Dressed in a flowing black ensemble and using a cane, Kathleen Turner radiates resilience and timeless grace as she poses on the red carpet of Searchlight Pictures' "The Roses" New York Premiere.

Kathleen Turner, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Olivia Colman share a warm moment on the red carpet at "The Roses" premiere at The Hudson Theater in New York City. Turner, poised with her cane, stands alongside Cumberbatch's sharp tailoring and Colman's chic floral blazer, forming a striking trio.

Kathleen Turner, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Olivia Colman share a warm moment on the red carpet at "The Roses" premiere at The Hudson Theater in New York City. Turner, poised with her cane, stands alongside Cumberbatch's sharp tailoring and Colman's chic floral blazer, forming a striking trio.

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The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.

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